Nigeria’s largest Power Generation firm, Egbin Power Plc. says its staff rank among the best in the power sector in Africa whilst restating its commitment to continuous expansion and investments in alternative energy sources to boost power supply in Nigeria.
Speaking in an interview with Energy Editors in Lagos, Kola Adesina, Chairman, Egbin Power Plc said the company in conjunction with its technical partners, Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) is currently mobilizing the financial, technical and regulatory processes required to double its total capacity over the next five years.
“Since we acquired the asset our passion has been to embark on constant upgrades in technology and investments in human capital to ensure we light up Nigeria. I make bold to state that our staff in Egbin rank among the best in Africa when it comes to power generation. In fact, they remain the drivers of our relentless quest for excellence and desire to redefine power generation on the continent,” Adesina stated.
Egbin’s six 220 MW gas-fired power plants were barely generating 400mw until its privatization in November 2013 produced a marked improvement which has since restored the plant to full capacity at 1,320mw. Egbin accounts for one quarter of power generated in Nigeria.
Adesina attributed the progress being recorded in Egbin to a “resurgent employee empowerment strategy” which propels each staff to seek creative ways of providing solutions to the challenges of power solution. “Our people are vital to the transformation story that is unfolding in Egbin. There’s this desire and passion to see Egbin as front players in Nigeria’s quest for uninterrupted, affordable and sustainable power supply,” he added.
Adesina said Egbin runs a Graduate Engineering Programme which seeks to enhance capacity and seamless employee succession within the company. “We are focused on building a sustainable franchise and building robust capacity in the technical and theoretical aspect of electricity generation The GEP is one of our platforms for tackling unemployment in Nigeria and creating platforms for sustainable development and improvement in the Power sector,” Adesina explained.
According to him, the company’s management has also upgraded its schools located in its estate to provide ultimate learning experience for the wards of the power firm’s staff. In addition, the Estate’s recreational facilities have been overhauled and remodeled to ensure staff have access to post work activities that would further enhance their productivity.
The transformation at the nation’s largest generation plant commenced following its acquisition by Sahara Power, working through a number of Special Purpose Vehicles (SPV) in collaboration with its technical partners, KEPCO.
The Sahara Power/KEPCO partnership has brought to Egbin, an unprecedented level of innovativeness, professionalism, human capital development and continuing investment in new technology.